The 2022 Bell Tower Festival had its moments battling inclement weather, but organizers made timely changes and the event proved to be another success.

Jefferson Matters: A Main Street and Chamber Community Events Team Chair Philip Heisterkamp says about 175 tickets were sold for the new fundraising meal on Thursday evening. The rainfall forced the event inside at the Greene County Community Center, but the meal was still delivered and musical entertainment with 2B Unplugged performed.

Then on Friday, the opening ceremonies were held under a sunny sky where Heisterkamp officially opened the festival and Tower of Fame Selection Committee Chair Carole Custer presented this year’s award to Chuck Offenburger. The Cooper resident talked about what it meant for him to receive the award.

“What I’m most appreciated about it is the boost it will give to projects that I’m involved in and that means a whole lot to me. It’s a thing that introduces me to more people around the county and beyond. You know I don’t insert myself always into projects that are happening here, but when local groups ask me to get involved I will.”     

Saturday of the festival, the rain came and went right before the parade went down Chestnut Street from the middle school to Lincoln Way. The parade winners included Fudge’s Flowers and Gifts for best commercial, best non-commercial went to Grupo Tonantzin, Home State Bank took home the best themed float in celebration of Jefferson’s Sesquicentennial and Abundant Life Ministries was the best overall float. 

Heisterkamp points out the executive team first met to plan for this year’s festival last September and he thanks everyone who helped in any capacity with the festival.

“We have an amazing team. It’s been fun to work with them and hopefully most of these people will come back and do it again for another year before we start passing it on to the next group of people who wants to be involved. But we have a great bunch of volunteers and a great group of sponsors who have helped put seed money in to help us do some of these special things. So without the support from the community and some people stepping in and donating their free time, this (the festival) would never happen.”    

Check out Raccoon Valley Radio’s Facebook page for pictures from the festival.